Fulham have appointed Roy Hodgson as their new manager. He succeeds Lawrie Sanchez, who was sacked earlier this month.

Hodgson, 60, has previously managed Blackburn Rovers and Inter Milan.

Hodgson told his new club’s official website: “I am delighted to have been offered this opportunity with Fulham. After long talks with the Chairman and the board I am convinced that we can take the Club to a new level. I am determined that we will overcome the current position, which I understand will be a challenge, but one that I will relish. I am very much looking forward to training with the team on Sunday, and will of course be at St Andrews tomorrow to watch the vital clash against Birmingham City.”

Manchester United have agreed to sign Petro Atletico Luanda striker Manucho on a three-year deal.

The Angolan international will join next month provided that he receives a work permit.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told his club’s official website: “We have had Manucho here for a 3-week trial and have been impressed enough to offer him a 3-year contract.

“He is a tall, agile and quick forward and through contacts that [assistant-manager] Carlos [Queiroz] has was brought to our attention around six months ago.”

Manchester United ‘keeper Edwin van der Sar has agreed a new one-year deal to remain at Old Trafford until 2009.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson told his club’s official website: “Edwin has agreed a new contract for another year. It’ll be totally as a player [and not as a coach]. We’re delighted at that because his consistency and experience has been a great help to this club.

“There is great competition for places amongst our goalkeepers. I’m sure Edwin will want to stay as our number one, but Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak will give him a good challenge.”

Midfielder Salif Diao, who was a free agent since leaving Liverpool, has joined Stoke City.

The 30-year-old Senegalese international has penned a deal at the Britannia Stadium until 2009.

Stoke manager Tony Pulis told his club’s official website: “Salif is a fantastic player, and I am obviously very, very happy to have him back.

“He is the sort of player that this Football Club needs to push on, and we have shown our ambition by bringing him here.”

Diao added: “I could have signed before now, but there was no way I was going to come here and take money off the club when I couldn’t even train.

“I have a lot of respect for Tony Pulis and [chief executive] Tony Scholes so I didn’t want to have money for doing nothing.

“I was in a situation at Liverpool a few years ago where I signed a five year contract and then got injured.

“I was getting money when I wasn’t playing and I felt horrible because of it.

“So there was no way I was going to do the same thing here.

“But now I’m fit and ready so it’s just a case of me getting back in to the routine and start building myself up to play Championship football again.”